Summery Mediterranean Penne Pasta

Ingredients

• 12-16 ounces of any short pasta
• ¼ c. olive oil
• 3 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 finely minced clove of fresh garlic
• few teaspoons of crushed red pepper
• 1 c. finely shredded red-leaf lettuce
• 2 diced fresh Roma tomatoes
• 6 sun-dried tomatoes
• chiffonade of 3 large leaves of fresh basil
• ½ c. diced mozzarella cheese
• ½ c. brine-cured olives sliced in half
• 2-3 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese
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1. Summery Mediterranean Pasta Salad Cook 12-16 ounces of any short pasta according to package directions.Do not rinse, but you knew that already.
2. While the pasta is cooking, whisk together ¼ c. olive oil, 3 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper to taste, and 1 finely minced clove of fresh garlic.
3. If you like things spicy, you can add a few teaspoons of crushed red pepper. If you’re fancy, you can other herbs, too.
4. Toss hot pasta with dressing until well coated.
5. Add according to your taste preference: 1 c. finely shredded red-leaf lettuce, 2 diced fresh Roma tomatoes, 6 sun-dried tomatoes that have been snipped, chiffonade of 3 large leaves of fresh basil, ½ c. diced mozzarella cheese, ½ c. brine-cured olives sliced in half, and about 2-3 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese.